Two-part closure system and nozzle with groove

ABSTRACT

A closure system for a container comprising a base cap ( 11 ) located over a hole in the container and having at least one aperture ( 17 ) for passage of fluid therethrough, an overcap ( 12 ) locatable over the base cap, having an opening to allow passage of fluid or milk therethrough and moveable between an open position where the fluid can pass through the opening and a closed position where the fluid is substantially prevented from passage through the opening, a nozzle or teat ( 13 ) which is coupled to the overcap ( 12 ) and having an outlet ( 41 ) for passage of fluid therethrough and a passage ( 30 ) in the form of a groove that extends from the interior of the overcap ( 12 ) to a region above the overcap ( 12 ).

The present invention relates to the invention disclosed in co-pendingPCT application no. PCT/AU01/01091.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to closure systems for containers such asbottles of liquid. However the invention also relates to containers ofall types of fluid such as gases and chemical fluids including hazardouschemicals.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A babies bottle normally has a closure system which consists of ascrew-on cap having a teat or nozzle. A baby sucking on the teat is ableto withdraw milk inside the bottle.

Unfortunately a baby drinking from a bottle as described abovefrequently encounters the problem of colic which occurs when milk andair is ingested by the baby at the same time.

The problem with existing babies bottles is that the bottle cap with theteat cannot prevent air passing in through the hole in the teat to theinterior of the bottle. Such a flow of air occurs automatically due tothe partial vacuum which is created in the nozzle when the baby sucksmilk through the hole in the teat.

The present invention preferably provides an alternative type of closuresystem which when applied to a babies bottle is able to reduce air beingsucked through the hole in the teat along with milk.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention there is provided a closure systemfor a container comprising a base cap which is adapted to be locatedover one or more holes in the container and having at least one aperturefor passage of fluid therethrough, an overcap locatable over the basecap, having at least one opening to allow passage of fluid therethroughand moveable between an open position where the fluid can pass throughthe or each opening and a closed position where the fluid issubstantially prevented from passage through the opening, a nozzle whichis adapted to be coupled to the overcap and having an outlet for passageof fluid therethrough and a passage extending from the interior of theovercap to a region above the overcap.

Preferably the passage comprises a channel or other conduit for air orgas.

Preferably the passage has an exit to the outside environment in a topsurface of the overcap.

Alternatively the passage has an exit to the outside environment in anouter surface of the nozzle.

It is preferred that the passage has an exit to the outside environmentbetween the upper surface of the overcap and the outer surface of thenozzle.

It is preferred that the passage comprises a groove formed in the nozzleand/or the overcap.

Preferably the nozzle has a lower flange.

The passage may be formed in an upper surface of the flange.

The passage may have an inlet in a bottom surface of the nozzle.

It is preferred that the passage has an inlet in a bottom surface of thenozzle.

The inlet may be in a bottom edge of the flange.

Preferably the passage extends along a peripheral edge of the nozzle.

It is preferred that the passage includes a spiral portion that spiralsaround a top portion of the nozzle.

Preferably the passage extends around the centre of the nozzle at leastonce.

Preferably the passage extends around the centre of the nozzle 720° fromthe inlet.

The passage may extend upwardly from an inner end of the spiral portion.

Preferably the passage extends upwardly from an inner end of the spiralportion at a location radially inwardly from the inlet.

It is preferred that the passage is formed on an inner lower surface ofthe top surface of the overcap.

It is preferred that the nozzle includes a collar which is located abovethe flange.

The nozzle may be flexible.

Preferably the nozzle includes a central body with the flange located atthe base of the body.

The exit preferably comprises a groove in an underside of the collar,which groove extends to the peripheral edge of the collar.

The passage may extend upwardly along the outer surface of the centralbody, from the flange.

The flange may include a peripheral edge comprising a sealing means forsealing the nozzle against the inside surface of the overcap.

The sealing means may comprise a flexible skirt.

The skirt is preferably downwardly extending.

It is preferred that the skirt has an edge which contacts the innersurface of the side wall of the overcap.

Preferably the collar is adapted to rest on the top surface of theovercap.

It is preferred that the top surface of the flange is adapted to abutagainst the bottom surface of the top wall of the overcap.

The inlet may be located between the peripheral edge of the flange and acorresponding portion of the adjacent internal surface of the side wallof the overcap.

According to an alternative embodiment the passage comprises a grooveformed in the bottom surface of the top wall of the overcap.

The exit may comprise a groove in an inner peripheral edge surroundingthe opening.

It is preferred that the inlet is located in close proximity to theinner peripheral edge of the flange.

The inlet may comprise a small portal which extends from an inner sideedge portion to an outer face of the flange.

It is preferred that the exit extends through a wall of the overcap.

Preferably the portal connects with the groove which extends around thecentre of the nozzle.

The portal may exit in a side wall of the overcap.

The base cap and overcap may be configured to permit the overcap to bescrewed onto the base cap.

Preferably the overcap has a female thread on its inside surface of theside wall with at least one ridge located across the female thread.

Preferably the overcap includes two ridges.

The base cap may have a male thread on its outer side wall surface withat least one transverse groove.

According to one embodiment the base cap has two transverse grooves todefine the open and closed position of the closure system.

According to another embodiment the base cap has two spaced transversegrooves on each of two male threads.

The closure system may include stoppage means for providing a resistanceto turning of the overcap when it has been turned to a predetermineddistance to open the opening.

The stoppage means may comprise the ridge/transverse groove combination.

The stoppage means may provide a resistance to turning of the overcapwhen it has been turned to a closed position.

The resistance to turning may be slightly greater than the forcerequired to twist the base cap off of the container.

The words “comprising, having, including” should be interpreted in aninclusive sense, meaning that additional features may also be added.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described byway of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings inwhich:

FIG. 1 a shows a front cross-sectional view of the closure system inaccordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1 b shows a close-up view of the closure system shown in FIG. 1 a;

FIG. 2 a shows a top angled view of a base cap according to thepreferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 b shows a side view of the base cap shown in FIG. 2 a;

FIG. 3 a shows a front angled view of an overcap according to thepreferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 b shows an angled bottom view of the overcap shown in FIG. 3 a;

FIG. 4 a shows a front view of a teat in accordance with the preferredembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 b shows a cross-sectional view of the teat shown in FIG. 4 a;

FIG. 5 shows an angled view of a babies bottle with the closure systemof the present invention in an unassembled form and according to afurther embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 shows a top view of an overcap according to the furtherembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 shows a side view of the overcap shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 shows a bottom view of the overcap shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 shows a top view of a base cap according to the furtherembodiment;

FIG. 10 shows a side view of the base cap shown in FIG. 9; and

FIG. 11 shows a bottom view of the base cap shown in FIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

As shown in FIG. 1 a the closure system consists of a base cap 11 andovercap 12 and a teat 13.

The base cap shown in FIG. 2 a is generally cylindrical in shape and hasa side wall 14 and flat circular wall 15 with a central dome 16surrounded by four equispaced apertures 17. The side wall 14 is providedwith a male thread 18 consisting of two thread portions 19, 20, witheach thread having vertical grooves 21 spaced apart approximately 90°with respect to a centre line through the base cap 11.

The underside of the base cap (not shown) has an internal thread toallow the base cap to be screwed onto the neck of a bottle. In additiona circular rim extends downwardly from underneath the top surface 15 andencloses the apertures 17 as they appear from the underside of the topsurface 15.

The overcap shown in FIG. 3 a has a similar shape to the base cap 11 andhas external peripheral castellations around its side wall 22 to assistwith gripping and turning. The inside surface 23 of the overcap 12 isprovided with female threads or grooves which are adapted to engage withthe male thread of the base cap 11. In addition vertical ridges 24 areprovided across each of the two female threads and these are adapted forengagement with the grooves in the male thread of the base cap 11.

The top surface of top wall 25 of the overcap 12 is generally flat witha circular opening therethrough. The inside surface 26 of the top wall25 is also generally flat.

The teat 13 shown in FIG. 4 a is made of a resilient plastic or rubbermaterial and has a circular thin base 27, a teat body 28 and a smallcollar 29 spaced slightly above the circular base 27.

As shown in FIG. 4 b the base 27 which is in the form of a thin flange,has a passage 30 in the form of a groove which begins at an entry point31 at a peripheral edge of the base 27 and this groove extends firstlyupwardly vertically along the outer edge 32 then radially inwardly ashort distance as referenced by item 33 and then around the main teatbody 28 in the form of a circular spiral 34 which completes tworevolutions of the main teat body 28 before extending radially inwardly(as represented by item 35) a short distance approximately in line withsection 33.

The groove then extends vertically upwardly in the outer wall of themain teat body 28 and then radially outwardly at 36 underneath collar29. The passage 30 ends in an exit 37 to the outside environment.

The base 27 is annular and has a central opening 38 which allows passageof fluid into the main teat body 28.

In use each of the components 11, 12 and 13 are assembled as shown inFIGS. 1 a and 1 b. Thus the teat is coupled with the overcap 12 so thatthe main teat body 28 protrudes through the opening in the overcap 12.The upper surface 39 of the base 27 abuts the under surface 26 of theovercap. Thus the groove 30 becomes an enclosed passage.

The collar 29 is pushed through the opening in the overcap and rests onthe inner peripheral edge of the overcap 12 which surrounds the opening.

Only the radially outwardly extending groove 36 is located above thelevel of the top surface 25 while the rest of the groove except for thevertical section above the base 27 is located underneath the top wall25.

In a first mode of operation when the closure assembly is open the basecap 11 is screwed onto the neck of a bottle (not shown) and the overcap12 is screwed onto the base cap 11 to a position where the ridges 24 inits female thread rest in the uppermost vertical grooves 21 of the malethread of the base cap 11.

At this point the overcap 12 has its top surface 25 raised clear of thetop surface 15 of the base cap 11. Thus as shown in FIG. 1 a a space 40exists between top wall 15 and top wall 25. Therefore the central dome16 which normally blocks and seals the opening 38 in the base 27 isclear of this opening 38 so that fluid is able to pass into the mainteat body 28 and out through the teat outlet 41 when the bottle isinverted.

As fluid is withdrawn through the outlet 41 a partial vacuum is createdinside the closure assembly and therefore there is a tendency for airfrom the outside environment to try and enter through any opening thatis available. Normally this would be the outlet 41. However because ofthe provision of the passage 30 shown in FIG. 1B from the exit 37 to theinlet 31 air is able to be drawn in through the exit 37 around thepassage created by grooves 34 down the outside of the peripheral edge ofthe base 27 and into the chamber 40. Air is then able to pass down anyone of the apertures 17 to replace fluid which leaves the bottle andpasses out through the outlet 41. Therefore only fluid tends to flowthrough the outlet 41 and air passes through the passage 30 because thisprovides a lower path of resistance to its entry than through the outlet41.

Thus the space between the overcap and the base cap 11 results in theformation of two chambers. One of these chambers being above the overcap12 and the other being below the overcap 12 and above base cap 11. Thusliquid is able to fill both chambers and the passage 30 maintains theliquid in these passages at neutral pressure. In other words when thebottle is inverted there is no force on the liquid other than gravity,so that liquid can be maintained in these chambers until the outlet 41is opened to allow the liquid to simply drop therethrough or be suckedtherethrough by the likes of a baby.

Because this liquid has no nett pressure applied to it a baby sucking onthe nozzle is not sucking against any pressure and therefore has areduced likelihood of drawing in air.

As liquid leaves the outlet 41 new liquid from the bottle flows into thetwo chambers to replace that liquid which leaves.

The base 27 is a flexible annular flange with a peripheral downwardlyextending skirt 42 which acts as a seal.

When fluid is being withdrawn through the outlet 41 by, for example asucking action, the skirt 42 is able to move slightly downwardly so thatair can more easily enter the chamber 40. However when fluid is notbeing withdrawn through the outlet 41 the skirt 42 assumes a position inabutting relationship with the adjacent internal surface 43 of theovercap 12.

This provides a seal around the periphery of the base 27 except for thesmall inlet opening 31.

When it is desired to close the closure assembly the overcap 12 issimply twisted in the opposite direction to that for opening the closureassembly and the bottom surface 43 of the base 27 is forced against thetop surface 15 of the base cover 11 so that the dome 16 fits into theopening 38 and seals it off.

As the apertures 17 are covered by the base 27, fluid cannot escapetherethrough from the interior of the bottle.

The lowermost vertical grooves 21 in the base cap 11 are adapted toreceive a respective one of the ridges 24 of the overcap so as toprovide an indication of when the overcap is in a closed position.

The closure assembly described above provides an easy way of opening andclosing a babies bottle to allow or prevent passage of fluid from thebabies bottle through outlet 41. In addition the passage configurationallows air to enter the chambers formed inside the closure assembly andlimit if not prevent air entering through the outlet 41.

The embodiment described above may be modified so that the passage isformed as a converse arrangement of that described but the passage couldbe formed as a groove in the overcap 12 rather than the teat 13.

FIG. 5 shows a closure assembly according to another embodiment of thepresent invention.

As with the previous embodiment the closure system consists of a basecap 111, an overcap 121 and a teat 131. In addition a babies bottle 50is shown having a neck with an external thread. The base cap 111 isscrewed onto the neck of the bottle 51 and the closure assembly isoperated in a similar fashion to that described in relation to theprevious embodiment.

The main differences between this embodiment and the previous embodimentare:

-   -   i. the design of the teat 131; and    -   ii. the design of the overcap 121.

In the previous embodiment the teat as shown in FIG. 4A is provided witha small collar 29. In addition as shown in FIG. 4B the passage 30 in theform of a groove extends from entry point 31 at the periphery ofcircular base 27 and spirals around the main teat body 28 up and underthe small collar 39 to exit point 37.

In contrast teat 131 in FIG. 5 does not have a passage in the form of agroove formed on the base of the teat 27. Instead the passage is createdon the underside of the overcap 121 and is shown most clearly in FIG. 8.Thus the underside of overcap 121 has an entry point 320 for passage 300located on the inner surface 112 of the top of the overcap 121.

In a similar fashion to the passage for the teat of the previousembodiment, the passage 300 starts at entry point 320, extends part wayradially inwardly towards the centre of the overcap 121 and then spiralsaround the opening 113 of the overcap 121. The passage 300 spiralsaround the opening 113 two times (720°) and terminates in an exit at theinner peripheral edge of the overcap 121 in line with the entry point320.

A short external passage or groove may be provided in the externalsurface of the teat from the exit point 350 vertically upwards on theexternal surface of the teat and under the collar of the teat 290 in asimilar fashion to that provided in the previous embodiment.

By having the passage 300 formed on the overcap, the passage is rigidand avoids problems of passage integrity and manufacturing a suitablepassage in the teat.

As previously described the lower peripheral edge of the base of theteat is still provided with a skirt 42 or diaphragm which is thin andresilient enough to flex and allow entry of air when the bottle isinverted for use and likewise is able to act as a seal to prevent exitof fluid through the passage if the bottle is squeezed. Thus squeezingof the bottle actually applies a pressure to the fluid and forces theflap to force a seal with the inner peripheral edge of the overcap andprevent liquid from passing around the diaphragm to the entry point ofthe passage 320.

It is possible for a separate diaphragm to be located underneath thebase of the teat to achieve a similar objective as that described above.Similarly the flap could be provided on some form of shroud placed overthe base cap 111, but having holes matching those in the base cap 111 toallow fluid passage therethrough. The flap may also be provided on theinner surface of the overcap 121.

It is noted that by having the spiral path for the passage 30, 300 thisallows for surface tension and helps reduce leakage of fluid from thebottle 50.

FIGS. 9 to 11 show various views of the base cap 111. This issubstantially the same as that of the previous embodiment.

It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred toherein, such reference does not constitute an admission that thepublication forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art, inAustralia or in any other country.

1. A closure system for a container comprising a base cap which isadapted to be located over a hole in the container and having at leastone aperture for passage of fluid therethrough, an overcap locatableover the base cap, having an opening to allow passage of fluidtherethrough and moveable between an open position where the fluid canpass through the opening and a closed position where the fluid issubstantially prevented from passage through the opening, a nozzle whichis adapted to be coupled to the overcap and having an outlet for passageof fluid therethrough and a passage extending from the interior of theovercap to a region above the overcap.
 2. The closure system claimed inclaim 1 wherein the passage comprises a channel formed in the nozzle. 3.The closure system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the passage comprises achannel formed in the overcap.
 4. The closure system as claimed in claim2 wherein the passage has an exit to the outside environment in a topsurface of the overcap.
 5. The closure system as claimed in claim 2wherein the passage has an exit to the outside environment in an outersurface of the nozzle.
 6. The closure system as claimed in claim 4wherein the passage has an exit to the outside environment between theupper surface of the overcap and the outer surface of the nozzle.
 7. Theclosure system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the nozzle has a lowerflange.
 8. The closure system as claimed in claim 7 wherein the passageis formed in an upper surface of the flange.
 9. The closure as claimedin claim 1 wherein an inlet to the passage is provided at an innerperipheral region of the overcap.
 10. The closure system as claimed inclaim 9 wherein the inlet is located between the peripheral edge of theflange and a corresponding portion of the adjacent internal surface ofthe side wall of the overcap.
 11. The closure system as claimed in claim10 wherein the passage extends radially inwardly from the inlet.
 12. Theclosure system as claimed in claim 11 wherein the passage includes aspiral portion which spirals around a top portion of the nozzle.
 13. Theclosure system as claimed in claim 12 wherein the passage spirals aroundthe top portion of the nozzle 720° with respect to the inlet.
 14. Theclosure system as claimed in claim 13 wherein the passage extendsupwardly from an inner end of the spiral portion.
 15. The closure systemas claimed in claim 14 wherein the nozzle includes a collar which islocated above the flange.
 16. The closure system as claimed in claim 14wherein the passage is formed in the bottom surface of the top wall ofthe overcap.
 17. The closure assembly as claimed in claim 1 including asealing means for sealing the inlet to the passage to seal the passageagainst exit of fluid in the container.
 18. The closure system asclaimed in claim 17 wherein the sealing means comprises a flexibleskirt.
 19. The closure system as claimed in claim 18 wherein theflexible skirt comprises a lip which is adapted to contact an opposingsurface of the overcap.
 20. The closure system as claimed in claim 19wherein the lip is located at a peripheral edge of the flange.
 21. Theclosure system as claimed in claim 19 wherein the sealing meanscomprises an annular member with the lip located at a peripheral edgethereof.
 22. The closure system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the basecomprises a plurality of apertures located around the centre of the basecap.
 23. The closure system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the base caphas an external thread on its outer side wall which is adapted to matewith a matching thread on an internal side wall of the overcap.
 24. Theclosure system as claimed in claim 23 wherein the base cap has a malethread on its outer side wall surface with at least two transversegrooves to define open and closed positions of the closure system. 25.The closure system as claimed in claim 24 wherein the overcap is adaptedto be rotated to move between open and closed positions.
 26. The closuresystem as claimed in claim 25 wherein the closure system is adapted toprovide a first chamber between the overcap and the base cap when theovercap is in the open position and a second chamber between the overcapand the nozzle.
 27. The closure system as claimed in claim 26 whereinthe overcap includes at least one ridge which is adapted to provideresistance to turning of the overcap.
 28. The closure system as claimedin claim 27 including a stoppage means for providing resistance toturning of the overcap when it has been turned to a predetermineddistance to open the opening.
 29. The closure system as claimed in claim28 wherein the stoppage means comprises at least one ridge of theovercap and at least one groove of the base cap.
 30. The closure systemas claimed in claim 1 wherein the passage is configured to providesurface tension which restricts passage of liquid therethrough.